other lands, and are now called to contemplate the first instalments of Divine judgment upon the modern despotisms of the earth. What will it be when the full vials of wrath shall be poured out? Then, indeed, shall the oppressors of the earth say "to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb: for the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand ?"

While such is the state of the world, we turn instinctively to the contemplation of the Church, and her preparation for encountering such a social crisis. Is there anything here to reassure the friends of truth and freedom? Nay, verily; the cloud that is spreading over the earth, is also enveloping the churches. At such a time it might be expected that the Church, with the lamp of truth in her hand, would be found girding up her loins, waiting for the deliverance of the downtrodden earth, and ready to take possession in the name of Zion's King. But alas! the very reverse of this is the case. The Church, in her various sections, is partaking of the general convulsions by which society at large is being shaken. Restlessness, instability, and desire for change, are her leading characteristics. In the Prelatic branch of the Protestant Church in these lands, there are symptoms of scepticism on the one hand, and Popery on the other. On the one side we see a sceptical section writhing under the supposed thraldom of subscription to the articles of faith, while on the other there is a powerful party straining every nerve for the restoration of the power of antichrist. By the press and the platform infidelity is poisoning the literature and public sentiment of the country. By the school, the cloister, the perversion of art, and the revival of ritualism, are the pioneers of the Papacy working towards the subversion of the Protestant faith. Where are the evangelical or steadfast parties? Their voice is scarcely heard amidst the general commotion; and even while they attempt to stem the tide, it is only showing their impotency and thraldom. Sceptics and Puseyites alike treat them with contempt. And now that the Privy Council has formed a way of escape for the infidelising critics, and political parties are in the hands of the time-serving Papists, what can we look for but the rapid spread of scepticism, superstition, and immorality? Even dissent in England has declined from first love, and forgotten first works. Had the spirit of the Puritans remained, there would have been less to fear from the double attack of the enemy; but as it is, dissentients are too much under the power of popular opinion, while enervated doctrine and sensuous worship utterly unfit them to cope with the insidious foe. The reconquest of England is the last hope of the Papacy, and there are too many evidences that that hope is not without foundation.

In Scotland, hitherto, liberty has ever found her asylum, and truth her ramparts of defence. Here the battle has been nobly fought, and the victory won. But alas! here also "the gold is become dim, and the most fine gold changed." By declension and division, the strength of the National Church is broken, and there are not wanting signs that she may ere long also cut her moorings. The calamities and afflictions with which she was visited have produced no repentance.

Statesmen have admitted the blunder that led to the Disruption, and churchmen mourn over the secession from her ranks of so many of the population of the land; but neither one nor other seems to have any sense of the guilt which invoked such chastisements, nor regard to the honour of Christ, whose crown-rights were violently usurped. There is as yet no attempt to heal the breaches of Zion by a return to the principles of the Covenanted Reformation-no indication of desire to win back those who were driven out by the tyranny of both Church and State. Some are looking for help, and hoping to gain their former prestige by a union with Prelacy; but this will be found like going down to Egypt for help. Should this policy be pursued, it will end in the overthrow of the Church of Scotland, and the renewal of the conflict for civil and religious liberty. The power of the State cannot shield the Church in her backslidings. The power of kings cannot stay the judgments of Heaven. "Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because they are many, and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the Lord!” Nothing but reformation and repentance can save the national churches from utter destruction; but as yet no signs of a genuine revival appear. Her rowers have brought her into deep waters, and those now taking the helm seem to be without chart or compass. What can be looked for but a shipwreck of what remains of the covenanted Presbyterian faith? When theological Professors are cutting the mooringcable, and endeavouring thus to raise the steam of popular applause, what can be expected but disaster and shipwreck among the social breakers ?

In turning to the non-established churches, there is little to reassure us in prospect of the coming conflict. While Popery and Prelacy and infidelity are devising their schemes of conquest, most of the churches are removing the bulwarks by which these systems were formerly resisted. Loose views of church government and of doctrine are appearing in many quarters. The indefinite statements regarding the jus divinum of Presbytery are being supplanted by the open denial of all scriptural authority in the matter. In books, periodicals, and speeches, and even in the deliberations of church courts, there are expressions of uncertainty, or the direct denial that the Presbyterian form of church government is the only form sanctioned by the Word of God. Thus it appears that there is a generation of men rising up, in various sections of the Presbyterian Church, who are prepared to abandon, or to hold in abeyance, the authority of Christ the Head in reference to the government of His Church-yea who, on grounds of expediency, are prepared to renounce the principles for which the martyrs bled and died. The cry for union rises above every other, while in regard to the terms of union there is nothing deemed fixed or settled. On this question, however, it is not necessary here to enter, as it must be dealt with judicially by the Synod during its present sittings.

Suffice it to say that we cannot see this movement towards union in the light of a revival of, or a return to, the principles of the Cove

nanted Reformation. Accompanied as it is by a latitudinarian disregard of distinctive principles, and an increase throughout the community of Sabbath desecration-of commercial and social immorality,

-there is little evidence that it partakes of the spirit of the Puritan era, when the basis of union and uniformity was prepared for the Church in the three kingdoms. Disguise it as men may, there is too much evidence that the same destitution of conscience which appears in the subscription of the Thirty-nine Articles in the South, without a sense of their binding obligation, is becoming common to many who have subscribed the Presbyterian standards. These are the germs of infidelity, which only require time and opportunity for development, in order to the casting off of religion altogether. Multitudes have already done so, and a much larger number is preparing for the same course, by a heartless disregard of truth and duty.

How melancholy the records of immorality in our land! Our social condition is graphically described by the prophet Hosea when he saith, "The Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood toucheth blood."

This will probably be considered a dark picture, painted in sombre colours. But the question is, Is it true? It is presumed that none will attempt to dispute the existence of the facts alluded to. Is there not therefore cause of humiliation and mourning? Even while the multitude may rejoice, Christ's witnesses must mourn over the backslidings of the Church and the guilt of the land. Even now there may be heard, as in ancient Israel, the dread denunciation, "Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria! ... Ye that put far away the evil day, and cause the seat of violence to come near; that lie upon beds of ivory, and stretch themselves upon their couches, and eat the lambs out of the flock, and the calves out of the midst of the stall; that chant to the sound of the viol, and invent to themselves instruments of music, like David; that drink wine in bowls, and anoint themselves with the chief ointments: but they are not grieved for the affliction of Joseph." The opposition without the Church is too frequently met by indifference within, while the aggressions of antichrist find in modern tastes the elements of ritualism and superstition. The wholesome dread of Popery and infidelity, once so common, is now but little known. The subverters of truth within the citadel are ready to open the doors to the assailing foe, while the men of might seem to have lost their hands. By stealth or by open assault, the "mystery of iniquity" is finding access to its strongholds, while the national conscience is becoming more and more debauched. Notwithstanding these abounding and increasing evils, there is heard on many a watch-tower the cry of Peace, peace. In marking the extent of our ecclesiastical and political declension, the question of Daniel instinctively rises to the lips: "O, my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?"

But let it not be supposed that your Committee see nothing but the dark side of the impending cloud. They are not blind to what is

good in the age, nor ungrateful for the marvellous mercies mingled with the infliction of judgments. They would not by any means overlook the special goodness of God to the land in a season of calamity, nor forget the instrumentality by which He has distributed His bounty. It is to the honour of our country and generation that the suspension for a time of the manufacture of one of our staple articles, involving thousands in temporal ruin, was met by an overflow of benevolence such as the world has never witnessed. The benevolent funds distributed in Lancashire, and other manufacturing localities, both in England and Scotland, is more worthy of rememberance than the battle-fields where kingdoms have been lost and won. The recent destructive flood in one of the English valleys has opened anew the fountains of benevolence.

But not to speak of these, as the sudden and special outflowings of liberality, under the cry of distress, produced by a sudden and unforeseen calamity, the various schemes of benevolence now in sustained operation outstrip those of the ages that have gone before us. In regard to education, to ordinances, and to sources of social improvement, the spontaneous efforts being made to reach the outcast and the destitute are beyond the comprehension of nations less highly favoured. There cannot be a ground to doubt that multitudes doing good must be getting good.

In the revival of a missionary spirit every follower of Christ must rejoice. That the Church should be considering anew her great commission to "go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature," is matter of thanksgiving. And even when we cannot approve of the methods employed, or take part in latitudinarian schemes of evangelistic work, we cannot but hear the sounds of the approaching footsteps of the Prince of Peace, who beyond the impending crisis will usher in millennial glory.

In regard to a testimony for the truth, there is reason to believe that, as heretofore, when the bour of the crisis shall come, there will not be lacking those who have never bowed the knee to Baal. Thongh the cause of the Covenanted Reformation, formally considered, seems low indeed-though there is reason to fear that it may be lower still ere the rising tide of infidelity, Popery, and immorality shall reach its greatest altitude,-let not the hearts of Christ's witnesses faint or be discouraged. Like the waves of the sea, the limits are set by the Moral Governor. The enthroned Mediator not only sits upon, but above the floods; while the assuring voice of the Spirit is still heard, as of old, saying to the faithful Church, "God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early."

The position of Original Seceders, though despised, is at once honourable and safe. Associated for the defence of the truth-occupying the ground of the Second Reformation-allied to the martyrs and confessors of a bygone age-organized under the Covenanted Bannerembarked in a cause which shall assuredly triumph,-there is nothing whereof they have reason to be ashamed-nothing which ought to cause them to faint or turn back.

While others are groping in the dark for a stable platform, and

reducing the Church's testimony to the lowest minimum, in order to obtain a basis of union, Original Seceders stand where Knox and Henderson and Gillespie, and the whole phalanx of the Second Reformation witnesses, gained their conquests. Upon the Westminster standards, as standards of covenanted uniformity, they find a platform for union -a citadel for defence-an asylum for peace-an armoury for conflict-a field for labour-and a home for Christian charity, nowhere else presented.

To sail against the tide of popular opinion is ever difficult. To bear reproach is opposed to the feelings of nature. To be isolated meets resistance in the social principle. To resist worldly conformity is with many no light cross. To suffer for the cause of Christ is not pleasing to flesh and blood. But let us remember that we "have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin," as did our fathers. Well does it become us to consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest we be wearied and faint in our minds.

Come what may, the path of duty is the path of safety. Sooner or later the clouds will break, and the light of millennial glory dawn. on Mount Zion. The cause of the Covenanted Reformation is not ours, but God's. It is bound up with His glory. He can save by few as well as by many. Happy shall those be in the impending crisis who follow the Lamb, though it may be in clouds and darkness. Before such He will set and keep an open door. Amidst the convulsions of the nations, and the shakings of the Church, there will still be heard the gracious announcement, "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them that dwell upon the earth."

JOHN BLAKELY, Convener.

REPORT OF THE SYNOD'S HOME MISSION COMMITTEE,

ADOPTED MAY, 1864.

IN presenting their Annual Report, your Committee have nothing new or special to communicate. The field is the same as formerly, with the exception of Edinburgh-the agency is similar to that hitherto employed. With an ever-increasing field, it is matter of deep regret that the decrease of funds available for this object renders it impossible to add to the present number of agents. It was on such grounds as these that the Committee felt constrained to abandon the Edinburgh Home Mission station since last meeting of Synod. It is with deep concern for the cause, and regard for the interests of the body, that they are constrained to state the probability of the field being still more circumscribed, unless more liberal support is speedily tendered to this important scheme.

In addition to congregational and personal efforts in tract distribution, Sabbath-school instruction, and devotional meetings, the regular